US6373922B1 - Method and apparatus for filament set height adjustment of a cathode cup assembly - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for filament set height adjustment of a cathode cup assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US6373922B1
US6373922B1 US09/574,043 US57404300A US6373922B1 US 6373922 B1 US6373922 B1 US 6373922B1 US 57404300 A US57404300 A US 57404300A US 6373922 B1 US6373922 B1 US 6373922B1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
filament
set height
open end
fixture
post
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US09/574,043
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English (en)
Inventor
Dennis Joseph Dalpe
Elena Rozier Gearing
Don Mark Lipkin
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General Electric Co
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General Electric Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US09/574,043 priority Critical patent/US6373922B1/en
Assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY reassignment GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DALPE, DENNIS JOSEPH, GEARING, ELENA ROZIER, LIPKIN, DON MARK
Priority to DE10124120A priority patent/DE10124120A1/de
Priority to JP2001148557A priority patent/JP3645499B2/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6373922B1 publication Critical patent/US6373922B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J9/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture, installation, removal, maintenance of electric discharge tubes, discharge lamps, or parts thereof; Recovery of material from discharge tubes or lamps
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J35/00—X-ray tubes
    • H01J35/02—Details
    • H01J35/04—Electrodes ; Mutual position thereof; Constructional adaptations therefor
    • H01J35/06—Cathodes
    • H01J35/064—Details of the emitter, e.g. material or structure
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J35/00—X-ray tubes
    • H01J35/02—Details
    • H01J35/04—Electrodes ; Mutual position thereof; Constructional adaptations therefor
    • H01J35/06—Cathodes
    • H01J35/066—Details of electron optical components, e.g. cathode cups
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J2235/00—X-ray tubes
    • H01J2235/06—Cathode assembly
    • H01J2235/068—Multi-cathode assembly

Definitions

  • the invention relates to x-ray tubes used in medical imaging.
  • the invention relates to a method and apparatus for adjusting a filament set height in a cathode cup assembly for an x-ray tube.
  • An x-ray source is often used in medical imaging systems, such as, but not limited to, computed tomography, fluoroscopy and mammography systems.
  • the x-ray source typically includes an evacuated vessel, known as the frame, containing an anode and a cathode. X-rays are produced by applying a high voltage across the anode and cathode, and accelerating electrons from the cathode toward a focal track on the anode.
  • Known cathode assemblies for such x-ray sources typically include a cathode cup and a plurality of current carrying filaments.
  • the filament leads extend through the cup via the filament feed-through assembly, which typically comprises an electrical insulator and a metallic sleeve used for securing the leads at the desired location.
  • At least one known filament geed-through assembly includes a tubular filament post, a substantially cylindrical insulator, and a sleeve.
  • the filament post may be positioned within the sleeve. Precise positioning of the filaments with respect to the cathode cup is important because the positioning affects operational characteristics of the x-ray tube, such as the focal spot size and position and the emission current. Accordingly, it is desirable to properly position the filament leads and thus the filament within the cathode cup.
  • Conventional filament setting methods for adjusting the filament set height may use pliers and a hammer to pull, twist, or push the filament lead to its desired location.
  • the extent of lead movement is difficult to control, and the desired filament alignment is attained by iteratively adjusting and measuring the filament position, until the filament set height is within a desired tolerance. This process is time-consuming and requires multiple steps to position the filament within the desired filament set height tolerance and may result in damage to the filament assembly.
  • An aspect of the invention provides a method for adjusting a filament set height in a cathode of an x-ray tube.
  • the method for adjusting a filament set height in a cathode comprises providing a cathode cup of an x-ray tube, the cathode cup comprising at least two feed-throughs extending therethrough; inserting a filament lead through the at least two feedthroughs to a filament set height below a desired filament set height; measuring an actual filament set height that results from the step of inserting; comparing actual filament set height that results from the step of inserting to the desired filament set height; determining an adjustment to the filament set height in which the adjustment is generally equal to a difference between the actual filament set height and the desired filament set height; contacting an end of the filament post with an adjustment tool; and moving the adjustment tool a distance substantially equal to said adjustment filament set height distance. Therefore, the filament is positioned at the predetermined filament set height.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides a device for adjusting a filament set height of a filament in a cathode.
  • the device comprises a fixture comprising a central bore having a first open end and a second open end; an axial calibrator received in the first open end of the fixture and disposed relative to the second open end; and a clamp adjacent the second open end for securing the fixture to a portion of the cathode such that a filament post extends through the second opened end and is capable of being moved along its axis.
  • the calibrator is capable of being brought into contact with an end of the filament lead.
  • the adjustment apparatus sets forth an adjustment apparatus for adjusting an x-ray tube filament.
  • the adjustment apparatus comprises a fixture, a central bore having a first open end and a second open end; a micrometer received in the first open end of the fixture and disposed relative to the second open end; and a clamp adjacent the second open end for securing the fixture to a portion of the cathode such that a filament lead of the filament extends through the second opened end.
  • the micrometer is capable of being brought into contact with an end of the filament post and adjusting the position of the filament post so as to affect the filament set height.
  • FIG. 1 is an illustration of a filament insulator and cathode cup
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation partial cross-section illustration of the filament insulator and cathode cup of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an illustration of a device for filament set height adjustment in a cathode cup assembly, as embodied by the invention
  • FIG. 4 is an illustration of the device of FIG. 3 used in connection with the filament insulator and cathode cup of FIG. 2;
  • FIGS. 5-7 are sequential illustrations of a method for filament set height adjustment of a cathode cup assembly, as embodied by the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an illustration of a fixture used in FIGS. 3-7;
  • FIG. 9 is an illustration of another fixture, as embodied by the invention.
  • FIG. 10 is an illustration of another filament set height adjustment tool, as embodied by the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan illustration of a known cathode cup assembly 50 to which the present invention may be readily adapted for use.
  • the cathode cup assembly 50 comprises a cathode cup 52 , four filament insulators 54 A, 54 B, 54 C, and 54 D and two filament assemblies 56 A, 56 B (illustrated in phantom).
  • the filament assemblies 56 A, 56 B each include a filament (not illustrated) and posts 58 A, 58 B, 58 C, and 58 D that extend from respective ends of the filaments.
  • the filament insulators 54 A, 54 B, 54 C, and 54 D each comprise a respective insulating member 60 A, 60 B, 60 C, and 60 D, a respective post sleeve 62 A, 62 B, 62 C, and 62 D, and a respective flange 64 A, 64 B, 64 C, and 64 D.
  • the insulating members 60 A, 60 B, 60 C, and 60 D each can comprise a bore therein (not illustrated in FIG. 1 ), and filament lead tubes 62 A, 62 B, 62 C, and 62 D that are inserted within the respective bores.
  • the filament lead tubes 62 A, 62 B, 62 C, and 62 D can be brazed to respective insulating members 60 A, 60 B, 60 C, and 60 D. NEED?
  • Each flange 64 A, 64 B, 64 C, and 64 D comprises an aperture (not illustrated) sized so that the respective insulating members 60 A, 60 B, 60 C, and 60 D can extend therethrough.
  • the flanges 64 A, 64 B, 64 C, and 64 D can be brazed to respective insulating members 60 A, 60 B, 60 C, and 60 D so that each flange portion 66 A, 66 B, 66 C, and 66 D extends radially outwardly from respective insulating members 60 A, 60 B, 60 C, and 60 D.
  • the flanges 64 A, 64 B, 64 C, and 64 D can be welded, for example spot welded, to cathode cup 52 at weld 68 to secure cathode insulator 54 A, 54 B, 54 C, and 54 D to cathode cup 52 .
  • the flanges 64 A, 64 B, 64 C, and 64 D should be trimmed so that the flanges 64 A, 64 B, 64 C, and 64 D do not overlap. If such flanges 64 A, 64 B, 64 C, and 64 D were to overlap, then it would be very difficult to securely weld each flange 64 A, 64 B, 64 C, and 64 D to the cathode cup 52 .
  • the following description may refer to the welding as spot welding, however, this description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the invention in any manner.
  • Filament 56 A can be inserted in cathode cup 52 , so that the filament rests within a filament receiving portion 70 of the cathode cup 52 .
  • the filament post 58 A can extend through a filament feedthrough assembly comprising an insulating member 74 A, and the filament feedthrough sleeve 62 A.
  • the filament post 58 A extends from the filament feedthrough sleeve 62 A.
  • the distance from a specified cathode cup surface to the emitting portion of the filament is also referred to herein as a “filament set height”.
  • the filament post 58 A can then be connected to the filament feedthrough sleeve 62 A.
  • a similar process is carried out for the remaining filament posts 58 B, 58 C, and 58 D. It should be appreciated that the aforementioned cathode cup arrangement is merely exemplary of the invention, and may be readily adapted to numerous other types and styles of cathode cup arrangements.
  • filaments need to be adjusted to prescribed set height tolerances, for example, but not limited to, about 20 microns.
  • filament set heights were adjusted using pliers to pull the filament posts to decrease the set height or using a hammer to push the post through the filament feedthrough sleeve in order to increase the set height. Therefore, the set height adjustment distance was an estimation and several iterations were generally required before a desired filament set height was achieved.
  • FIG. 3 An apparatus for filament set height adjustment, as embodied by the invention, is illustrated in FIG. 3 .
  • the apparatus (referred to hereinafter as a “filament adjustment tool”) 100 comprises a calibrator, such as micrometer 102 .
  • the following description will refer to the calibrator as a micrometer; however, this is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the invention.
  • the digital micrometer illustrated in FIG. 3, which satisfactorily performs the process, as embodied by the invention, is manufactured by Mitutoyo Corporation of Kawasaki, Japan Model No. 350-714-30.
  • the micrometer 102 includes a measuring range of up to about 25 mm and can read distances to a precision of approximately 1 micron.
  • the micrometer 102 comprises an axial pushrod 106 , which is moveable, for example, by rotation of a spindle 108 .
  • An adjustment fixture 112 is secured to a housing 110 of the micrometer 102 . This fixture 112 is illustrated in FIG. 8 .
  • the adjustment fixture 112 is secured relative to the housing 110 by way of a set screw 114 received in a bore 115 of the adjustment fixture 112 .
  • the adjustment fixture 112 includes a bore 113 extending through a central region of the adjustment fixture 112 , with the bore 113 comprising a first section 116 having a first diameter 117 .
  • the first section 116 may accommodate the housing 110 of the micrometer 102 ; a second section 118 having a second diameter 119 , which is less than the first diameter 117 , for accommodating axial movement of the rod 106 ; and a third section 120 having a third diameter 121 for accommodating a filament lead tube of a cathode cup.
  • the third diameter 121 is less than that of the second diameter 119 .
  • the adjustment fixture 112 may take on a number of possible configurations.
  • the adjustment fixture 112 may have an axial slot to facilitate the viewing of the contact point between the pushrod 106 and the filament post.
  • the pushrod 106 may have rounded tip or a spherical insert 126 in order to reduce friction between the pushrod 106 and filament post.
  • the adjustment fixture 112 may be made of any suitable rigid material, such as, but not limited to, steel or aluminum.
  • the adjustment fixture 112 (FIG. 4) can readily receive the filament feedthrough sleeve 62 A of the cathode cup 52 through a central bore 113 .
  • the adjustment fixture 112 can be secured to the filament lead tube 62 A using a set screw 122 or any equivalent securing device.
  • the filament post 58 A is inserted through the filament feedthrough sleeve 62 A to an initial location, such that the filament set height is below the desired value.
  • the filament feedthrough sleeve 62 A and filament post 58 A can then be lightly crimped to temporarily hold the filament post 58 A in place with respect to the cup 52 .
  • the filament post 58 A is located such that it extends a greater distance through the filament feedthrough sleeve 62 A than needed for the desired filament set height, the filament post 58 A needs to be pushed along its axis to achieve the desired filament set height.
  • the filament set height is measured.
  • the cup 52 is placed under a microscope, which comprises a digital height read-out. The difference between the actual set height and the desired set height is determined for each filament lead.
  • the cup 52 may be removed from the microscope and the adjustment tool 100 can then be clamped to a respective filament lead tube, as discussed herein with respect to FIG. 4 and as illustrated in FIG. 5 .
  • Each of the filament leads can then be individually adjusted to obtain the desired set height.
  • the spindle 108 of the micrometer 102 is rotated until the tip 126 of the pushrod 106 contacts the filament lead 58 A, as illustrated in FIG. 6 .
  • Initial contact of the rod 106 with the filament lead 58 A and movement of the filament lead 58 A after contact can be inspected and visualized through the view 124 in the adjustment fixture 112 .
  • the read-out 104 of the micrometer 102 is noted.
  • the spindle 108 of the micrometer 102 can then be rotated to push the filament lead 58 A toward the cathode cup 52 . This pushing increases the filament set height until the desired distance is reached to provide a desired filament set height, as illustrated in FIG. 7, as is readily determined by the read-out 104 of the micrometer 102 .
  • the distance by which the pushrod 106 is moved after contact with the filament lead 58 A is essentially equal to the respective set height difference previously determined.
  • the filament set height adjustment tool 100 is removed from the filament lead tube 62 A, for example by loosening of the set screw 122 .
  • the above process may be carried out for each of the filament leads in a cathode cup. Further, the process may be carried out on any cathode cup having a filament post Additionally, the adjustment fixture 112 may be configured so a plurality of filament leads may be adjusted simultaneously, to further reduce time associated with such an adjustment process.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates the adjustment fixture 112 , which is utilized to fix the relative position of the micrometer 102 with respect to the filament post of the cathode cup.
  • the adjustment fixture 112 may be made of any suitable rigid material, including but not limited to steel, aluminum, or machinable ceramic.
  • the adjustment fixture 112 includes the central bore 113 extending therethrough and comprises the first section 116 , second section 118 , and third section 120 .
  • the first section 116 can receive the micrometer 102 and the third section 120 can receive the at least one of filament feedthrough sleeve and post of the cathode cup.
  • the adjustment fixture 112 also includes the bore 115 for receiving the set screw 114 for securing the adjustment fixture 112 to the micrometer, and the bore 123 for receiving set screw 122 for securing the adjustment assembly relative to a filament feedthrough sleeve.
  • An optional view port 124 is included in a sidewall of the second section 118 for allowing the operator to assess contact between the pushrod 106 of the micrometer 102 and the filament post.
  • a cylindrical fixture 210 includes a central bore 212 , with the central bore 212 comprising a threaded interior wall for receiving an adjustment bolt 214 , as illustrated in FIG. 10 .
  • the central bore 212 comprises a first section 216 having a first diameter and a second section 218 having a second diameter, which is generally less than that of the first diameter.
  • a bore 220 intersects the second section 218 in which the bore 220 can receive a set screw 222 (similar to the set screw 122 ) for securing the fixture 210 with respect to a filament feedthrough sleeve.
  • a view port 224 is provided to allow the operator to verify the contact between the bolt 214 and a filament post extending from the filament feedthrough sleeve.
  • the adjustment bolt 214 comprises a threaded pushrod 226 , which engages the central bore 212 of the fixture and is movable therein in an axial direction in response to rotation of a head 228 of the bolt 214 .
  • the fixture 210 is selectively secured to, for example, but not limited to, the filament feedthrough sleeve of a cathode cup by way of a set screw received in the bore 220 , with a portion of the filament feedthrough sleeve and the filament post of the cathode cup extending into the first section 216 . Once secured thereto, rotation of the bolt 214 causes the end 230 of the rod 226 to contact the filament lead.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Electron Sources, Ion Sources (AREA)
  • X-Ray Techniques (AREA)
US09/574,043 2000-05-18 2000-05-18 Method and apparatus for filament set height adjustment of a cathode cup assembly Expired - Fee Related US6373922B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/574,043 US6373922B1 (en) 2000-05-18 2000-05-18 Method and apparatus for filament set height adjustment of a cathode cup assembly
DE10124120A DE10124120A1 (de) 2000-05-18 2001-05-17 Verfahren und Apparat zur Filamentensollhöheneinstellung eines Kathodenschalenaufbaus
JP2001148557A JP3645499B2 (ja) 2000-05-18 2001-05-18 陰極カップアセンブリのフィラメント設定高さ調整方法及び装置

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/574,043 US6373922B1 (en) 2000-05-18 2000-05-18 Method and apparatus for filament set height adjustment of a cathode cup assembly

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JP (1) JP3645499B2 (de)
DE (1) DE10124120A1 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050123097A1 (en) * 2002-04-08 2005-06-09 Nanodynamics, Inc. High quantum energy efficiency X-ray tube and targets
US20070003018A1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-04 General Electric Company High voltage stable cathode for x-ray tube
CN101210986B (zh) * 2006-12-27 2010-11-10 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 组装治具
US20130012057A1 (en) * 2010-04-01 2013-01-10 Mbda France Fixture with electrical connections and systems for separable mechanical attachment
CN107464733A (zh) * 2017-07-25 2017-12-12 杭州凯龙医疗器械有限公司 一种x射线管旋转阴极组件封口装置及方法
US20180197712A1 (en) * 2017-01-12 2018-07-12 Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co.,Ltd. X-ray tube and method of manufacturing the same
RU2745447C1 (ru) * 2020-09-04 2021-03-25 Акционерное общество "Обнинское научно-производственное предприятие "Технология" им. А.Г.Ромашина" Катод рентгеновской трубки

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4338542A (en) * 1979-01-31 1982-07-06 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Directly heated cathode assembly
US5526396A (en) 1993-07-30 1996-06-11 U.S. Philips Corporation Electron tube with adjustable cathode structure
US5920605A (en) 1996-10-10 1999-07-06 General Electric Company Cathode cup assembly for an x-ray tube

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4338542A (en) * 1979-01-31 1982-07-06 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Directly heated cathode assembly
US5526396A (en) 1993-07-30 1996-06-11 U.S. Philips Corporation Electron tube with adjustable cathode structure
US5920605A (en) 1996-10-10 1999-07-06 General Electric Company Cathode cup assembly for an x-ray tube

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050123097A1 (en) * 2002-04-08 2005-06-09 Nanodynamics, Inc. High quantum energy efficiency X-ray tube and targets
US20070003018A1 (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-04 General Electric Company High voltage stable cathode for x-ray tube
US7576481B2 (en) 2005-06-30 2009-08-18 General Electric Co. High voltage stable cathode for x-ray tube
CN101210986B (zh) * 2006-12-27 2010-11-10 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 组装治具
US20130012057A1 (en) * 2010-04-01 2013-01-10 Mbda France Fixture with electrical connections and systems for separable mechanical attachment
US8777652B2 (en) * 2010-04-01 2014-07-15 Mdba France Fixture with electrical connections and systems for separable mechanical attachment
US20180197712A1 (en) * 2017-01-12 2018-07-12 Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co.,Ltd. X-ray tube and method of manufacturing the same
CN108305823A (zh) * 2017-01-12 2018-07-20 东芝电子管器件株式会社 X射线管装置
CN108305823B (zh) * 2017-01-12 2020-06-16 佳能电子管器件株式会社 X射线管装置
US10763069B2 (en) * 2017-01-12 2020-09-01 Canon Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd. X-ray tube and method of manufacturing the same
CN107464733A (zh) * 2017-07-25 2017-12-12 杭州凯龙医疗器械有限公司 一种x射线管旋转阴极组件封口装置及方法
RU2745447C1 (ru) * 2020-09-04 2021-03-25 Акционерное общество "Обнинское научно-производственное предприятие "Технология" им. А.Г.Ромашина" Катод рентгеновской трубки

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JP3645499B2 (ja) 2005-05-11
DE10124120A1 (de) 2001-11-29
JP2002042641A (ja) 2002-02-08

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